Opportunities

Discover the Opportunities with Communication Studies

Students in the Communication Studies Department are integrated into global and intercultural learning, on campus and abroad. The faculty care about the holistic growth of students, which creates a supportive atmosphere. Learn more about ways students apply skills to engage with their education outside the classroom.

Internships

Most Communication Studies students have at least one internship before graduation, in places such as arts administration, media and ad agencies, legal offices, and more. Explore your opportunities to gain career experience with Communication Studies.

Study Away

The majority of Communication Studies students study abroad during their four years on the Hill. Explore opportunities to study away for semester, May term, and summer global learning.

Community-Engaged Learning

Community-engaged learning is central to learning beyond readings, writing papers, and class discussions. Students at Gustavus recently collaborated on creating museum exhibits, led community deliberations, and assisted local non-profit organizations.

Research

Research is an essential component of exploration in Communication Studies. Our students frequently present their work at undergraduate research conferences and collaborate with faculty across areas of study.

Lambda Pi Eta National Honor Society

Lambda Pi Eta recognizes and celebrates outstanding scholarship in Communication Studies.

Facilities for Learning

The Communication Studies Department has state-of-the-art facilities for digital projects and deliberation and dialogue. Take a virtual tour of our student spaces in Beck Academic Hall.

Public Deliberation and Dialogue

Because we live in a democratic society—one that is often described as polarized, cynical, and indifferent—bringing different perspectives together to decide how to navigate challenges and move forward together is a critical skill. Public Deliberation & Dialogue (PDD) facilitates meaningful conversations among students and community members about issues of common concern.

Learn more about Public Deliberation & Dialogue

Public Discourse Class

Public Discourse is a nationally recognized and awarded course created by the Communication Studies faculty at Gustavus. The course provides rigorous training in research, critical thinking, problem solving, writing, and oral communication—the core skills of a liberal arts education.

Course Description

Public Discourse introduces students to the principles of public advocacy, community-based research, and civic engagement. Students gain knowledge, enhance and hone skills, and thoughtfully consider their place in their communities. Readings, class time, and assignments focus on the skills and concepts necessary for successful application of rhetorical and argument theory to a community-based public advocacy project.

Student Learning Outcomes

Public Discourse teaches students to:

Effectively create and present oral, written, and mediated communication. Effective communication is contextual and contributes to deliberative discourse by identifying issues, adapting to audiences, marshaling arguments and evidence, and employing appropriate presentation standards.
Find and utilize relevant and reliable library and community-based evidence.
Ethically engage in research, interactions with community members, and in presentations according to project guidelines: Community-based (local, collaborative, sustainable, appropriate), Deliberative (evidence-based), and Ethical (reflexive).
Effectively engage in opportunities for positive social change.
Articulate a plan for continued skill and content development based on accurate assessment of strengths and areas for growth.

Over the past decade, we have continually assessed and tracked student learning outcomes.

The Public Advocacy Project

Students actively and meaningfully engage with a community on a community problem. In completing the project, each student identifies a problem in the community, thoroughly researches that problem, determines the best plan for addressing the problem, and presents the plan to agents of change in their community. In order to ethically advocate in their communities, students complete a series of sequenced assignments focused on developing the research, audience analysis, and skills necessary for success.

Public Discourse Text

Students use a dedicated Public Discourse text to learn rhetorical, argument, and public advocacy theory and to guide them in developing a successful project. Chapter readings and targeted sequenced exercises provide the foundational building blocks for major assignments and for the overall project.